Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's mental disorder and seizure disorder were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of his service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding no new and material evidence was submitted.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and he did not have pending claims for VA benefits at the time of his death. The appellant is therefore not entitled to accrued benefits or non-service-connected death pension benefits.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for schizophrenia, which was previously awarded on March 28, 1990. The case has been remanded due to VCAA compliance issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, stomach disorder, and psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing he is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed stressor was not verified and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for schizophrenia and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, and chronic respiratory disability, including bronchitis, were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA psychiatric reexamination. The appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability, to include bipolar disorder, will be reconsidered after all development is completed.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain all pertinent treatment records, including those from the San Juan Vet Center and VA Medical Center. The veteran's reported stressors need to be verified by USASCRUR. A VA psychiatric examination is also required to determine if a current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's undifferentiated-type schizophrenia produced considerable impairment in social and industrial adaptability, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted, and he now has a current diagnosis of hypertension related to his active service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the veteran's claims are properly considered, including obtaining his National Guard service records and scheduling him for examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.